Best performance for the buck?

Post by **srnkanator** » 10 Mar 2006, 08:55

I have a 95 850 turbo and am looking to give it the best performance bang for the buck. All I really have is an IPD exhaust system by TME, a strut brace, and some Michellen Pilot Z rated rubbers. The car is in excellent shape and I am thinking of getting an IPD ECU upgrade. The car has 63,000 miles on it. What are the risks of the ECU upgrade at this point in the cars life? Would getting a K&N filter and some iridium plugs give me noticably better performace? How big a difference will the sway bars make in my handling? Are they that much better than stock. If anyone has done what I listed above can you yell me about your experiences?

Thanks-

Erik

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Mar 2006, 14:45

Here's some talk on manual boost controllers:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... 9524#19524

An IPD chip will be 15-20x safer than an mbc, but is 15-20x more money

.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Mar 2006, 21:11

The very best upgrade I did with both of our current Volvo's are the IPD antisway bars and heavy duty swaybar end links. I've done the ECU upgrade and it's nice but the handling of the car was much more worth it...just my opinion but seems that most people who have done this upgrade feel this way too.

carlosR · Post by **carlosR** » 19 Jun 2006, 22:11

I have to agree that improving your suspension and tires are the best place to start. It's a lot sexier to upgrade ECU's, add turbos etc. But without good to great tires and an upgraded suspension and exhaust you are not taking full advantage. I'm upgrading my swaybars then exhaust on my T5 next. The tires help alot but now I feel that roll and sway.

the underlord · Post by **the underlord** » 23 Jun 2006, 16:35

Stage 0.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=7281

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Jun 2006, 18:10

the underlord wrote:Stage 0.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=7281

Since he asked about performance, I assumed that had been done.

But, you are absolutely right!

the underlord · Post by **the underlord** » 26 Jun 2006, 11:09

MadeInJapan wrote:
the underlord wrote:Stage 0.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=7281
Since he asked about performance, I assumed that had been done.
But, you are absolutely right!

since he's here, i'm gonna assume it hasn't been done..

Post by **srnkanator** » 28 Jul 2006, 07:56

Thanks for the info . . . just got IPD Sway bars and HD endlinks put in WOW!!! Its like I'm driving a new car, no body roll, and car feels so tight! Next in line is a brake upgrade. Anybody put in the new Koni FSD shocks? I'm curious as to how they feel. . . found the online for $600 and free shipping, way less than IPD . . .